Gaming machine and a method of gaming thereon

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a gaming machine and, a method of gaming thereon, comprising: a symbol selector for selecting a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols during play of a game, the set of symbols including a plurality of function symbols; a display having at least a game area, the selected symbols being displayed in said game area; an outcome evaluator for determining that at least one predefined triggering criterion is satisfied; and a game area expander for expanding said game area in response to said at least one predefined triggering criterion being satisfied, such that at least one additional symbol of the set of symbols is displayed in an expanded game area.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/539,447, filed Aug. 13, 2019, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/868,658, filed Sep. 29, 2015, whichclaims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No.2014903863, having a filing date of Sep. 29, 2014. Each of theabove-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In existing gaming systems, feature games may be triggered for playersin addition to the base game. A feature game gives players an additionalopportunity to win prizes, or the opportunity to win larger prizes, thanwould otherwise be available in the base game. Feature games can alsooffer altered game play to enhance player enjoyment.

While such gaming systems provide players with enjoyment, a need existsfor alternative methods to provide feature games in gaming systems, andfor a larger variety of types of feature games, in order to maintain orincrease player enjoyment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a gamingmachine comprising:

a symbol selector for selecting a plurality of symbols from a set ofsymbols during play of a game, the set of symbols including a pluralityof function symbols;

a display having at least a game area, the selected symbols beingdisplayed in said game area;

an outcome evaluator for determining that at least one predefinedtriggering criterion is satisfied; and

a game area expander for expanding said game area in response to said atleast one predefined triggering criterion being satisfied, such that atleast one additional symbol of the set of symbols is displayed in anexpanded game area.

In one embodiment, the symbol selector comprises a first reel having aplurality of first symbol positions and a second reel having a pluralityof second symbol positions, wherein the plurality of symbols areselected for positioning in a respective one of the plurality of firstand second symbol positions, the first reel and the second reel beingpositioned on the display such that at least one symbol position fromeach reel is active and is viewable in the game area and such that atleast one symbol position from each reel is non-active and is notviewable in the game area.

In such embodiments, the expanded game area preferably comprisesexpanding the game area such that the at least one non-active symbolposition from each reel that is not viewable in the original game areabecomes active and becomes viewable in the expanded game area.

In one embodiment, the predefined criterion comprises a function symbolbeing selected for positioning in an active first symbol position thatis aligned with a function symbol being selected for positioning in anon-active second symbol position.

In one embodiment, expanding of the game area continues until at leastone predefined ending criterion is satisfied.

In such embodiments, the predefined ending criterion comprisesdetermining whether a function symbol is selected for positioning in anon-active symbol position that is located adjacent to an alignedfunction symbol in the same reel. In response to determining that afunction symbol is selected for positioning in a non-active symbolposition that is located adjacent to an aligned function symbol in thesame reel, the adjacent non-active symbol position becomes active and isdisplayed in the expanded game area.

Further, a non-active symbol position located on one reel adjacent to anactive symbol position located on another reel becomes active and isdisplayed in the expanded game area.

In this or other embodiments, the predefined ending criterion furthercomprises a predefined expansion limit, wherein the expanding continuesuntil the predefined expansion limit is reached.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof playing a game on a gaming machine, the method comprising:

selecting using a symbol selector a plurality of symbols from a set ofsymbols during play of a game, the set of symbols including a pluralityfunction symbols;

displaying on a display having at least a game area, the selectedsymbols being displayed in said game area; and

determining using an outcome evaluator that at least one predefinedtriggering criterion is satisfied during play of said game; and

expanding using a game area expander said game area in response to saidat least one predefined triggering criterion being satisfied, such thatat least one additional symbol of the set of symbols is displayed in anexpanded game area.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided acomputer program code which when executed by components of a controllerof a gaming system implements the above method.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided atangible computer readable medium comprising the above computer programcode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description of embodimentsthereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gamingmachine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system;

FIG. 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a feature game of the gaming machine of FIG.2;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of active and non-active symbolpositions of the feature game of FIG. 7; and

FIGS. 9A to 9C and 10A to 10C are schematic representations of the gamearea and expanded game area of the feature game of FIG. 7.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in thedrawings. It should be understood, however, that the present inventionis not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in theattached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there are shown example embodiments of gamingsystems which have components that are arranged to implement a basegame, from which may be triggered a feature game. In these embodiments,symbols are selected from a set of symbols comprising at least aplurality of function symbols. In the feature game, a game area on thedisplay is caused to expand so that additional symbols may be displayedin a game area of the display. The invention is not limited to expandingthe game area in only a feature game, however. In other embodiments, thegame area may be expanded in any part of the game. In embodiments of theinvention, the game area is expanded while an alignment test issatisfied in respect of designated symbols in active and inactive symboldisplay positions.

General Construction of Gaming System

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form,a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most componentsrequired for implementing the game are present in a player operablegaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some ofthe components required for implementing the game are present in aplayer operable gaming machine and some of the components required forimplementing the game are located remotely relative to the gamingmachine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used whereinpart of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine andpart of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a“thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game isexecuted remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operablegaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaminginformation to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine isnetworked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gamingmachine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example,the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thickclient” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played,operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent topersons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system 1 has several corecomponents. At the broadest level, the core components are a playerinterface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Theplayer interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between aplayer and the gaming system and for this purpose includes theinput/output components required for the player to enter instructions toplay the game and observe the game outcomes.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment toembodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable aplayer to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, agame play mechanism 56 including one or more input devices that enable aplayer to input game play instructions (e.g. to place a wager), and oneor more speakers 58.

The game controller 60 is in data communication with the playerinterface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the gameplay instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs gameplay outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play rules are storedas program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Herein theterm “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that canprocess game play instructions in accordance with game play rules andmay include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logicdevice or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. aPC) or a server. That is a processor may be provided by any suitablelogic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance withinstructions stored in memory and generating outputs (for example on thedisplay). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as centralprocessing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units,however, it is also know to provide a specific purpose processor usingan application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA).

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 isillustrated in FIG. 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12having a display 14 on which are displayed representations of a game 16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coininput chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card. Other gaming machines may configure forticket in such that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets havinga value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker.A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may alsobe provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, forexample as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may bein the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage mediumcapable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, theplayer marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism,either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits storedon the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a playeraccount in data communication with the player marketing module.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a video display unit,particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, forexample a video display unit, which may be of the same type as thedisplay 14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gamingmachine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG. 2.

The gaming machine 10 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102 mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to controloperation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is indata communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine10 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than oneof each type of memory, with such memories being collectivelyrepresented by the memory 103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (110) interface 105 for communicating with peripheraldevices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/orthe peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memoryfor storing associated instructions and data for use with theinput/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random numbergenerator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference torandom numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a player interface 120 includesperipheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101including one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107(which provide a game play mechanism), a card and/or ticket reader 108,a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and acoin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as partof the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required forthe specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screensare typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wagerand initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the playerto input game play instructions may be used. For example, in some gamingmachines a mechanical handle is used to initiate a play of the game.Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that a touch screen canbe used to emulate other input devices, for example, a touch screen candisplay virtual buttons which a player can “press” by touching thescreen where they are displayed.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a bonus controller, central controller, server ordatabase and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, centralcontroller, server or database. In embodiments employing a playermarketing module, communications over a network may be via playermarketing module—i.e. the player marketing module may be in datacommunication with one or more of the above devices and communicate withit on behalf of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

FIG. 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which forexample may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arrangedin three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in FIG. 5 are connected tothe network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operableinterface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on therequirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gamingmachines are illustrated in FIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gamingmachines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Forexample, the displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to displayrepresentations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202,and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional orinformational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of thegame played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as boththe game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, theycollectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloadingor access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, ifthe gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, aJackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions forthe Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all ofthe game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With thisembodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gamingmachine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game serverwhich will process them and return game play outcomes to the gamingmachine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machinescould be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides aplayer interface operable using standard computer input and outputcomponents. Other client/server configurations are possible, and furtherdetails of a client/server architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration ofthe gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licensesrelating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is providedto allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devicesconnected to the network.

The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, otherlocal networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide areanetwork such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run arandom generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided torun different games or a single game server may run a plurality ofdifferent games as required by the terminals.

Further Detail of Gaming System

The player operates the game play mechanism 56 to specify a wager andhence the win entitlement which will be evaluated for this play of thegame and initiates a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that a player's win entitlement will vary from game to gamedependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it istypical for the player's entitlement to be affected by the amount theywager and selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager). Forexample, a player's win entitlement may be based on how many lines theyplay in each game—e.g. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number oflines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win linesmay be available for selection) and how much they wager per line. Suchwin lines are typically formed by a combination of symbol displaypositions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions beinglocated relative to one another such that they form a line.

In many games, the player's win entitlement is not strictly limited tothe lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awardedindependently of a player's selection of paylines and are an inherentpart of the win entitlement.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments,the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reelsto play and an amount to wager. Such games are marketed under the tradename “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. Theselection of the reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel canbe substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions.In other words, all symbols displayed at symbol display positionscorresponding to a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinationswith symbols displayed at a designated, symbol display positions of theother reels. For example, if there are five reels and three symboldisplay positions for each reel such that the symbol display positionscomprise three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbolsdisplayed in the centre row are used for non-selected reels. As aresult, the total number of ways to win is determined by multiplying thenumber of active display positions of each reel, the active displaypositions being all display positions of each selected reel and thedesignated display position of the non-selected reels. As a result forfive reels and fifteen display positions there are 243 ways to win.

In FIG. 6, the processor 62 of game controller 60 of gaming system 1 isshown implementing a number of modules based on game program code 641stored in memory 64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious of the modules could be implemented in some other way, forexample by a dedicated circuit.

These modules include the outcome generator 622 which operates inresponse to the player's operation of game play mechanism 56 to place awager and initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome whichwill then be evaluated by outcome evaluator 623. The first part offorming the game outcome is for a symbol selector 622A to select symbolsfrom a set of symbols specified by symbol data 642 using random numbergenerator 621. The selected symbols are advised to the displaycontroller 625 which causes them to be displayed as a symbol display ondisplay 54 at a set of display positions.

In the embodiment described below, the display positions of the symboldisplay are arranged in a rectangular matrix comprising a plurality ofcolumns and a plurality of rows. However, in other arrangements as knownin the gaming industry could be employed in embodiments of theinvention. For example, in some arrangements there are more symbols insome columns than other, such as 3-4-3-4-3 arrangement of seventeendisplay positions corresponding to respective ones of five reels. Insuch arrangements, the columns of four symbols can be arranged so thatthey are off-set or staggered relative to the columns having two symbolsso that the middle two symbols in the columns of four symbols shareboundaries with two symbols of each neighbouring reel.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment, in which a game area maybe expanded during play of a game. The game, in this embodiment afeature game, is initiated at step 702. A feature game may be triggeredfor example during play of a base game, or by any method known to thoseskilled in the art. Base games and the triggering of feature games isnot discussed further herein.

At step 704, symbol selector 622 a selects symbols from symbol data 642for positioning in active symbol positions 802 and non-active symbolpositions 804, as best shown in FIG. 8. Further, in the FIG. 8embodiment, game area 808 (circled) is aligned with active symbolpositions 804 so that any symbols selected for positioning in the activesymbol positions are viewable on one or more displays 54.

Once symbols are selected for positioning in the active and non-activesymbol positions, outcome evaluator 623 determines whether a triggercondition is satisfied at step 706. In one embodiment, the featureexpands game area 808 and is triggered when an alignment test holdstrue. In other embodiments, the expansion feature is triggered by anytriggering mechanism that is known in the art, and the alignment test isonly applied only when the feature has been triggered.

In one embodiment, the alignment test holds true when outcome evaluator623 determines that:

1. A function symbol is selected for positioning in an active symbolposition; and

2. A function symbol positioned in an active symbol position is alignedwith a function symbol positioned in a non-active symbol position.

Note that in this embodiment, function symbols are implemented as wildsymbol 806. The function of wild symbol 806 is to act as a replacementsymbol for any other symbol making up the set of symbols. In otherembodiments, the wild symbol may only act as a replacement symbol for asubset of the set of symbols, such as all symbols except for scattersymbols. In some embodiments, the function symbol may be implemented asa symbol other than a wild symbol, such as a multiplier. The function ofa multiplier may be to multiply any prizes won, or to multiply thenumber of free games won, etc., when that multiplier symbol is includedin a predetermined winning symbol combination.

In one embodiment, “alignment” refers vertical alignment in which wildsymbols 806 are selected for positioning in adjacent active andnon-active symbol positions on the same reel. That is, wild symbol 806is selected for positioning in a non-active position 804 that happens tobe adjacent to a wild symbol 806 that is selected for positioning in anactive position 802. This is discussed in more detail below withreference to the examples and to FIGS. 9A to 10C.

Alternatively or additionally, “alignment” may also refer to horizontalalignment in which a wild symbol 806 is selected for positioning in anactive symbol position of a first reel that is adjacent a wild symbol806 selected for positioning in a non-active symbol position of a secondreel. Again, this is discussed further below with reference to theexamples and to FIGS. 9A to 10C.

Thus, in the embodiments above, the alignment test holds true whenactive and non-active symbol positions in either or both horizontal andvertical positions are aligned. In other embodiments, the alignment testmay also include alignment of the symbol positions in other directions,such as diagonally or, in the case of three-dimensional games, in frontof or behind a selected symbol position.

If the trigger condition is not satisfied, the game area is againevaluated by outcome evaluator 623, and any awards are paid at step 712.In one embodiment, awards are paid according to a predefined pay table643, which defines the magnitude and/or the nature of the awardaccording to combinations formed by symbols selected for display in theactive symbol positions 802 in game area 808. Once paid, the game endsand control returns to step 702.

If the alignment test holds true, outcome evaluator 623 sends a messageto game area expander 622B to expand game area 808 at step 708. Theextent that the game area is expanded is determined by the alignment ofthe active and non-active symbol positions as discussed above, andcontinues until an end condition is satisfied at step 710.

In an embodiment, game area expander 622B expands game area 808indefinitely so long as the alignment test holds true. That is, the endcondition at step 710 is that the alignment test fails. In otherembodiments, the end condition is a predefined expansion limit. Thus, ifthe original game area is defined as an array having 4 columns and 5rows, the expansion limit, may be defined as an array having 4 columnsand 13 rows. That is, in such embodiments, the game area may grow from5×4 to 13×4. The expansion limit may be defined in terms of for examplerows, columns, total symbol positions, or any combination thereof. Notethat both end conditions may be implemented for some embodiments, andgame area 808 ceases expanding for whichever end condition is satisfiedfirst. Note also that in some embodiments, more than or less than twoend conditions may be implemented.

At step 710, if the end condition is satisfied, the game area is againevaluated by outcome evaluator 623, and any awards are paid at step 712.Once paid, the game ends and control returns to step 702.

If the end condition is not satisfied, control returns to step 704 andgame area expander 622B continues to expand game area 808 until outcomeevaluator 623 determines that the alignment test has failed, or anotherend condition has been satisfied.

Examples

More specific examples of embodiments of the invention are now describedwith reference to FIGS. 9A to 10C. In general, as shown in theseFigures, the game is implemented using a 5×4 grid layout. Of course, thegame is not limited to being implemented using such a grid layout, andmay be implemented by a game designer as desired. Furthermore, in theseFigures, game area 808 is indicated by the shaded cells. As noted above,the cells within game area 808 are indicative of active symbol positions802, while the cells outside of game area 808 are indicative ofnon-active symbol positions 804.

Starting at FIG. 9A, wild symbols 806 have been selected for positioningin active symbol positions R2 to R5 of column 2. A wild symbol 806 hasalso been selected for positioning in non-active symbol position R6C2.

Outcome evaluator 623 determines that there is a wild symbol 806positioned in a non-active symbol position 804 at R6C2; and that thisparticular non-active symbol position is adjacent to a wild symbol 806positioned in an active symbol position 802 at R5C2. Accordingly,outcome evaluator 623 determines that the alignment test holds true andsends a message to game area expander 622B to expand the game area 808.

In one embodiment, game area expander 622B in turn sends a message todisplay controller 625, which causes an animation to be displayed ondisplay 54, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. That is, arrow object 902 isdisplayed on display 54 indicating the direction and magnitude ofexpansion of game area 808.

The result following expansion of the game area is shown at FIG. 9C, inwhich expanded game area 904 is defined by a 6×4 grid layout. That is,R6 which was originally inactive is now activated and forms part of theexpanded game area 904, as shown by the shaded cells of FIG. 9C.

At this point, since there are no more wild symbols 806 positioned in anon-active symbol position aligned with a wild symbol 806 positioned inan active symbol position 802, the alignment test fails and expansion ofthe game area ends. That is, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, outcomeevaluator 623 determines that the end condition is satisfied at step710, evaluates the symbols selected for positioning in active symbolpositions 802, pays any awards due based on predefined pay table 643 andreturns control back to step 702.

Now referring to FIG. 10A, wild symbols 806 have been selected forpositioning in active symbol positions R2 to R5 of column 2. A wildsymbol 806 has also been selected for positioning in non-active symbolposition R6C2. Furthermore, wild symbols 806 have also been selected forpositioning in non-active symbol positions R6 to R10 of column 3.

Outcome evaluator 623 first determines that there is a wild symbol 806positioned in a non-active symbol position 804 at R6C2; and that thisparticular non-active symbol position is adjacent to a wild symbol 806positioned in an active symbol position 802 at R5C2.

Accordingly, outcome evaluator 623 determines that the alignment testholds true and sends a message to game area expander 622B to expand thegame area 808.

In one embodiment, game area expander 622B in turn sends a message todisplay controller 625, which causes an animation to be displayed ondisplay 54, as illustrated in FIG. 10B. That is, arrow object 902 isdisplayed on display 54 indicating the direction and magnitude ofexpansion of game area 808.

The result following expansion of the game area is shown at FIG. 10C, inwhich expanded game area 904 is defined by a 6×4 grid layout. That is,R6 which was originally inactive is now activated and forms part of theexpanded game area 904.

Outcome evaluator 623 then determines that there is a wild symbol 806positioned in a non-active symbol position 804 at R6C3; and that thisparticular non-active symbol position is adjacent to a wild symbol 806positioned in an active symbol position 802 at R7C3.

Accordingly, outcome evaluator 623 determines that the alignment testonce again holds true and sends a message to game area expander 622B toexpand the game area 904.

In one embodiment, game area expander 622B again sends a message todisplay controller 625, which causes an animation to be displayed ondisplay 54, as illustrated in FIG. 10C. That is, arrow object 1002 isdisplayed on display 54 indicating the direction and magnitude ofexpansion of game area 904.

Game area expander 622B continues expanding game area 904 until thealignment test fails. Thus in the embodiment of FIG. 10C, Game areaexpander 622B continues expanding game area 904 until the expanded gamearea is defined by a 10×4 grid layout.

At this point, since there are no more wild symbols 806 positioned in anon-active symbol position aligned with a wild symbol 806 positioned inan active symbol position 802, the alignment test fails and expansion ofthe game area ends. That is, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, outcomeevaluator 623 determines that the end condition is satisfied at step710, evaluates the symbols selected for positioning in active symbolpositions 802, pays any awards due based on predefined pay table 643 andreturns control back to step 702.

In these examples, it is assumed that the expansion limit is set at 13rows. Thus in this embodiment, no further expansion is possible once theexpanded game area reaches a 13×4 grid layout, irrespective of thealignment test. In other embodiments, the expansion limit may be set atanother level, use different criteria or expansion may not be limited insuch a manner.

As indicated above, the method may be embodied in program code. Theprogram code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on atangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memorydevice, e.g. an EEPROM, (for example, that could replace part of memory103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from aserver). Further, different parts of the program code can be executed bydifferent devices, for example in a client server relationship. Personsskilled in the art, will appreciate that program code provides a seriesof instructions executable by the processor.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein,such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art formsa part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

1. A gaming system comprising: a display device configured to present anarrangement of symbol positions, wherein a subset of the symbolpositions are designated as active symbol positions; a game serverconfigured to: populate the symbol positions, each with a randomlyselected symbol; determine whether at least one of the randomly selectedsymbols in the active symbol positions matches an adjacent randomlyselected symbol not in the active symbol positions; expand the subset ofactive symbol positions to include one or more additional symbolpositions based on a determination that the at least one of the randomlyselected symbols in the active symbol positions matches the adjacentrandomly selected symbol not in the active symbol positions; anddetermine a game outcome based at least in part on symbols displayed inthe expanded active symbol positions.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1,wherein the symbol positions are included on a first reel or a secondreel, the first reel and the second reel being displayed on the displaydevice such that at least one symbol position from each reel is activeand is viewable in a game area, and such that at least one symbolposition from each reel is non-active and is not viewable in the gamearea.
 3. The gaming system of claim 2, wherein the game server isconfigured to expand the subset of active symbol positions, such that atleast one non-active symbol position from each reel that is not viewablein the game area becomes active and becomes viewable in the game area.4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game server is configuredto continue to expand the subset of active symbol positions until atleast one predefined ending criterion is satisfied.
 5. The gaming systemof claim 4, wherein the game server is configured to determine that thepredefined ending criterion is satisfied when no symbol in the activesymbol positions is adjacent to a matching symbol not in the activesymbol positions.
 6. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein thepredefined ending criterion is satisfied when the game server determinesthat a predefined expansion limit has been reached, wherein theexpanding continues until the predefined expansion limit is reached. 7.The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the randomlyselected symbols in the active symbol positions that matches theadjacent randomly selected symbol not in the active symbol positions arepredetermined symbols.
 8. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein thepredetermined symbols are function symbols.
 9. The gaming system ofclaim 1, wherein the symbol positions are arranged in a matrix of rowsand columns.
 10. A method of playing a game on a gaming system, thegaming system comprising a game server and a display device configuredto present a plurality of symbol positions comprising a plurality ofactive symbol positions within a game area and a plurality of non-activesymbol positions outside of the game area, the method comprising:populating each symbol position of the plurality of symbol positionswith a symbol selected from a plurality of symbols; determining, by thegame server, whether the symbol provided in at least one non-activesymbol position is adjacent to a same symbol provided in at least oneactive symbol position; expanding the game area to generate an expandedgame area based on a determination that the symbol provided in the atleast one non-active symbol position is adjacent to the same symbolprovided in the at least one active symbol position, wherein theexpanded game area is generated by changing, to active symbol positions,a row or a column of the non-active symbol positions occupied by the atleast one non-active symbol position having the symbol adjacent to thesame symbol provided in the at least one active symbol position; anddetermining, by the game server, a game outcome based at least in parton symbols displayed in the expanded game area.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the plurality of symbol positions are included on a firstreel or a second reel, the first reel and the second reel beingdisplayed on the display device such that at least one symbol positionfrom each reel is active and is viewable in the game area, and such thatat least one symbol position from each reel is non-active and is notviewable in the game area.
 12. The method of claim 11, comprisingexpanding the game area such that at least one non-active symbolposition from each reel that is not viewable in the game area becomesactive and becomes viewable in the expanded game area.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the expanding the game area continues until at leastone predefined ending criterion is satisfied.
 14. The method of claim13, comprising determining, by the game server, that the predefinedending criterion is satisfied when no symbol included in any non-activesymbol position is adjacent to the same symbol provided in any activesymbol position.
 15. The method of claim 13, comprising determining, bythe game server, that the predefined ending criterion is satisfied whena predefined expansion limit has been reached, wherein the expandingcontinues until the predefined expansion limit is reached.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the symbol provided in at least onenon-active symbol position that is adjacent to the same symbol providedin the at least one active symbol position are predetermined symbols.17. The method of claim 16, wherein the predetermined symbols arefunction symbols.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the symbolpositions are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
 19. Anon-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon, acomputer program having at least one code section, the at least one codesection being executable by at least one processor, the at least onecode section when executed causing the at least one processor to:provide an arrangement of symbol positions arranged in rows and columns,wherein a subset of the symbol positions are designated as active symbolpositions; populate the symbol positions, each with a randomly selectedsymbol; determine whether at least one of the randomly selected symbolsin the active symbol positions matches an adjacent randomly selectedsymbol not in the active symbol positions; expand the subset of activesymbol positions to include one or more additional symbol positionsbased on a determination that at least one of the randomly selectedsymbols in the active symbol positions matches an adjacent randomlyselected symbol not in the active symbol positions; and determine a gameoutcome based at least in part on symbols displayed in the expandedactive symbol positions.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable mediumof claim 19, wherein the plurality of symbol positions are included on afirst reel or a second reel, the first reel and the second reel beingdisplayed on the display device such that at least one symbol positionfrom each reel is active and is viewable in the game area, and such thatat least one symbol position from each reel is non-active and is notviewable in the game area.